IMPERIALISM

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WHAT IS IMPERIALISM? - Imperialism is the domination by one country of the political, economic, or cultural life of another country or region.

WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF IMPERIALISM?

-Economic Interests -
After the Industrial Revolution, there were many needs and desires that were create and resulted to overseas expansion.

-Political/Military Motives - In order to transport coal and other supplies, steam-powered merchant ships were needed, therefore they invaded islands and harbors to achieve these needs. Nationalism was also something that they wanted to achieve. Leaders thought that colonies were needed for national security, and would make the nations more prestige.

-Humanitarian and religious goals - The Europeans felt as if they had to help their friends across seas, and that important people figures, such as missionaries, doctors, and colonial officials felt they had to spread their thoughts of civilization.

-Social Darwinism - The Westerners believed that they are better than everyone else, they used Darwin's Law of Survival of the fittest and applied it to society.

The Europeans had very different thoughts about Imperialism. One man, David Livingstone wrote on March 1866 that he enjoyed helping the Africans, "Now that I am on the point of starting another trip into Africa, I feel quite exhilarated: when one travels with the specific object in view of ameliorating the condition of the natives every act becomes enobled." Also written in March of 1866, Basil Davidson states that he thinks the Europeans are spoiling them, "I hear your countryman done spoil West Indies"

The Europeans were successful in forcing their rule on Africans, because they had a very strong military, and had plenty of weapons to defend themselves.

CONSEQUENCES OF IMPERIALISM

Some of the consequences of Imperialism were The Slave Trade, cultures, languages, and beliefs of foreign countries were destroyed. Unsoiled land was also destroyed. Also, there were civil wars, which still occur today. There were also some positive effects, such as the nation becoming structured and having more